Prosthetic virtual reality training interface and related methods

Abstract

An apparatus comprising an electromyographic (EMG) control module is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electromyographic (EMG) control module configured to receive EMG information generated by an individual; identify a gesture class based on the EMG information, and train using the received EMG information and the gesture class. The gesture class corresponds to an intended gesture made by the individual.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for prosthetic virtual reality training, comprising:
 an assistive device, including
 a liner, 
 an electromechanical connection in communication with the liner, 
 a muscle computer interface in communication with the electromechanical connection, the muscle computer interface including a housing, 
 an adjustable lengthening mechanism connected to the muscle computer interface, and 
 a sensor system including at least one sensor positioned within the liner that interprets electromyographic (EMG) signals and generates EMG information from the EMG signals, 
 wherein the adjustable lengthening mechanism is configured to hold one or more weights to simulate a weight of a prosthetic device; and 
 
 an electromyographic (EMG) control module configured to:
 receive a first EMG dataset generated from the sensor system as an individual contracts muscles of the individual while engaged to the assistive device, 
 interpret, by the EMG control module, an intended gesture of the individual based on the first EMG dataset by correlating a gesture class with the intended gesture, and 
 train using the first EMG dataset as and the gesture class. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the EMG control module is further configured to: determine the intended gesture based on the EMG information; and output a gesture instruction associated with the intended gesture. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor system includes a kinematic sensor for providing kinematic information about the individual to a virtual reality control module. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a virtual reality display, wherein the virtual reality display displays a virtual limb in a predetermined proper position with respect to a user and the virtual limb reflecting the intended gesture. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein an image representing the intended gesture is displayed along a virtual target. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the EMG control module includes a pattern recognition classifier. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the EMG control module comprises a plurality of gesture classes including the gesture class. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of gesture classes comprise a hand open class, a hand close class, a no motion class, a wrist rotation class, and a wrist extension/flexion class. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the EMG signals are generated as the individual moves a limb of the individual engaged to the assistive device in more than one physical dimension. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the EMG signals are generated by the limb of the individual moving in three physical dimensions.